Crime Scene Investigation – “Claymation”

Introduction
Investigating   a  crime  scene   requires  a  careful  and   trained   eye  coupled  with   a  thorough
knowledge and proper implementation of the techniques of evidence collection and preservation.
The quality of an on­site investigation and evidence collection process often plays a pivotal role in
the outcome  of any legal  proceedings  that  may follow.   The goal of crime  scene investigation
should, therefore, be to obtain the maximum amount of information from the site in such a way that
the quality and integrity of the information is essentially unimpeachable in a court room.   The
information gained at the site should ultimately lead to a rational and credible explanation of the
events leading to the observed crime scene.   It is through practice and careful consideration that
skills of observation and interpretation are refined.
The   manner   in   which   a   crime   scene   is   investigated   needs   to   follow   well   established
procedures   that   have   been   developed   over   time   to   avoid   the   destruction   or   contamination   of
important information contained within the site and to provide for the safe transport of evidence to
the   laboratory   for   further   analysis.     At   a   crime   scene,   there   is   often   a   strong   tendency   in   the
excitement of the moment to rush in and begin the exploration of the site – searching for quick
answers.     Bystanders,   initial   police   and   rescue   workers,   officials,   and   others   with   very   good
intentions may severely compromise the integrity of a site within a remarkably small amount of
time.  Thus, one of the first requirements of crime scene investigation is to protect and preserve the
site   from   destruction   or   contamination.     Once   this   has   been   accomplished,   the   careful   and
methodical documentation of the site along with complete evidence collection can begin.  If done
properly,   a   crime   scene   investigation   can   often   supply   the   missing   “what”,   “how”   and   “who”
answers that are needed to solve the forensic mysteries encountered.

Objectives
In this laboratory experiment, a recreation of a crime scene will be done in modeling clay,
then analyzed by a separate team to practice the investigation of a crime scene by a forensic team.
The   practice   of   proper   procedures   for   managing   and   exploring   a   crime   scene   site,   collecting
evidence, and analyzing the data will be examined through this miniature simulated crime scene.
The information gained will ultimately lead to an interpretation of the crime scene to suggest events
that might have lead to the observed data.

Background
In this laboratory, we will explore some of the practices involved with the exploration and
evidence collection of a crime scene.  Members of the class will serve as part of investigative and

Crime Scene Investigation 1 © 2004
forensic   teams   with   specialized   responsibilities   at   the   crime   scene.     In   this   section,   a   general
approach to a crime scene will be presented followed by a brief overview of some of the procedures
and   duties   of   specific   team   members.     A   great   deal   of   additional   information   is   also   readily
available on this subject both on the internet and reference materials.
When beginning the investigation of a new crime scene, a number of basic steps need to be
quickly taken to insure the integrity of the site and to preserve the potential value of the evidence
collected.   The most important investigative step is, therefore, to protect the scene.   Subsequent
steps involve the deliberate and careful processing of the scene for any potentially useful physical
information and evidence.   Questions such as “what is potentially useful information” and “what
evidence relates to the commission of the crime and what materials were there before” are often
difficult to answer.  It is often only through years of experience that answers to these questions can
be fully provided on­site.  Even very experienced investigators, however, are often confronted with
difficult decisions about items found at the crime scene.  The availability of resources, the nature of
the crime and the scene, and other factors often dictate how much material is collected from the site.
With very serious crimes and significant amounts of available resources, investigators may “err” on
the side of collecting too much material with the intent of “weeding out” the items collected at a
later time for fear of missing any small but important piece of evidence.  In contrast, it would not be
prudent , for example, to spend large amounts of resources and collect huge amounts of evidence
for a simple shoplifting case.  Similarly, it would be unwise to overlook any potential evidence at
the   early   stages   of   a   homicide   investigation   that   might   later   prove   to   be   invaluable   to   the
investigation.  Often early “leads” prove to be unsuccessful and new avenues of discovery must be
followed to yield the correct interpretation.
The order and organization of the steps involved in fully investigating a crime scene are
critically important.  The steps to analyzing a crime scene, therefore, should include the following
(given below in approximate chronological order):

Secure and isolate the crime scene.  This should involve taking control of the crime scene on
arrival and quickly determining the extent to which the site has been compromised,
how   much   has   been   preserved,   whether   medical   assistance   is   required,   and   if
suspects and witnesses are in the vicinity and need to be detained (to block their
flight).  The first responders (including medical personnel) should be made aware of
potential evidence and helped to keep the site as pristine as is possible before the
evidence team arrives.
Render medical help and arrest suspects.   The immediate demands of providing medical
assistance (if needed)  and stopping the flight  of potential  suspects  and witnesses
should receive the highest priority.
Preserve and protect evidence (isolate area) and establish boundaries from an initial site
survey.   This  can often be started while medical assistance is being provided by
rescue personnel.   It first requires that nothing be touched within the established

Crime Scene Investigation 2
 boundaries of the crime scene.  Information should be obtained from personnel who
have   entered   the   scene   initially   and   who   might   have   knowledge   of   the   original
conditions of the site.   Careful and very detailed note­taking should begin at this
point (especially including all who enter and exit the site, when they are in the site
(time), and what they do while in crime scene) .
Excluding unauthorized personnel.  Only those who have the right and need of access to the
site should be permitted within the site boundaries.  It is also critical to record the
entry and exit of all personnel to and from the crime scene.  The initial responders
should maintain  the site until control is relinquished to an officer in charge (see
below).
Designating the Officer in Charge.  One person should be placed in charge and given the
responsibly for the security and overall oversight of crime scene investigation.  This
person   should   have   appropriate   authority   to   enforce   decisions   and   maintain
administrative   and   emotional   control   of   the   investigation.     They   may   choose   to
delegate  some  of  their  responsibilities  to  suitably  trained  personnel  with  specific
forensic expertise.
Documenting site and evaluating the physical evidence possibilities.  A brief walk through
of the site should be conducted by the officer in charge, possibly with forensic team
leaders, to evaluate the general types of evidence that will most likely be collected
and how it might best be done.  The entire site should be carefully and completely
photographed and documented before evidence collection begins.  An evaluation of
the adequacy of the initial site boundaries needs to be made at this point (possibly to
expand or decrease the size of the site).   The manner of the site search and other
plans for a thorough site investigation needs to be established and assignments made
regarding executing the plans.  At this point, a preliminary theory of how the crime
was   committed   might   be   helpful   in   evaluating   the   evidential   possibilities   to   be
explored and searched for (e.g., where to look for a cartridge casings or impression
evidence).
Collection of evidence.   At this point evidence collection should be begun.   This includes
identification,   documentation,   preservation   and   packaging   of   possible   evidence.
Environmental   conditions,   movement   of   personnel   and   information   about   the
physical site needs to be carefully documented.  The most perishable and sensitive
evidence should be collected first and the most “sturdy” evidence collected later.
The work should also proceed from the most accessible to the least accessible sites.
The location and nature of the evidence should be noted with an eye to observing
whether the evidence appears to have been either inadvertently moved or contrived.
Release the crime scene.  After the crime scene has been thoroughly investigated and work 
is completed, the crime scene may be released and “opened” to normal use.  Once 
the scene has been released, further evidence collection may become impossible.

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 Investigating a crime scene also requires a team of trained specialized investigators.  In the
efficient processing of a crime scene, each person has well understood specific duties within their
area  of expertise.    The  overall  management  of the entire  operation  is  also well  conceived  and
communicated   to   team   members.     Given   below   is   a   brief   description   of   some   of   the   critical
personnel with a brief listing of their specific crime site duties and responsibilities.

Team Leader and Crime Site Management Team:
Assume control of and access to the site.
Assign log recording duties of all who enter and exit the crime scene
(including times) and what they did while on site.
Determine search pattern and assignments.
Coordinate with evidence and police/rescue groups involved at the
site.
Continuously evaluate work and modify plan as required.
Release crime scene.
Photographer and Photographic Log Recorder:
Photograph entire scene (before and after entered).
Photograph victim, crowd, vehicles.
Photograph evidence before it’s moved (including fingerprints, casts, etc.).
Photograph evidence both in wide view (position at scene) and close­up (with scale).
Possible use of video recording (does not replace still photography).
Prepare photographic log.
Sketch Preparer:
Diagram area of scene (including orientation of site to fixed points and all items within site).
Make measurements (double check).
Rough sketch ­ accurate dimensions, orientation and location of evidence (from a fixed 
point).
Prepare finished sketch ­ aesthetic appearance (usually done later).
Set forth major items of evidence on sketch (with scale).
Evidence Recorder/Evidence Recovery Personnel:
Have evidence photographed/sketched before collection.
Describe evidence and location on container/package.
Package evidence:
Prevent any change to evidence after collection.
Proper identification (Chain of Custody).
Prevents cross contamination (separate packaging).
Preserved intact (e.g., blood on clothes).
Crime scene safety.

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 Maintain chain of custody and keep evidence log. 
Ensure proper safety of collection (e.g., infectious materials).
Additional crime scene specialists may include:
Anthropologist
Blood expert
Bomb technician
Criminalist
Engineer
Entomologist
Medical examiner
Odontologist
Surveyor
Others

In searching a crime scene, the method
and procedures need to be determined by the
team leader before exploration of the site can
begin.     Several   different   types   of   search
patterns may be employed, depending upon the
size   and   nature   of   the   site,   the   weather
conditions   and   the   nature   of   the   crime.     At
right   are   several   possible   search   patterns
commonly   employed   in   field   practice.     The
goal is to completely and methodically search
the site without missing any potential evidence
and   not   compromising   the   value   of   any
evidence recovered.

Documenting the Crime Scene

After a crime scene has been documented with photos or video, a technician will usually draw a
rough sketch of the scene to provide a 2-dimensional reference of the scene. Rough sketches should
include measurements of the room/space as well as distances from fixed points to pieces of
evidence (the body, the murder weapon, etc.) Often the photographer’s location and the direction
faced are included in the sketch. Back at the lab, the artist will use a computer program to create a
finished sketch that can be used during the court case if needed.

To familiarize yourself with the idea of drawing a sketch, you will perform the following task:

Crime Scene Investigation 5
  Draw a rough sketch of your bedroom (or other room within your house)

 Use graph paper

 Use pencil (or colored pencils, optional)

 It should be as close to scale as possible. You will need to use a ruler or tape measure for

distances. Record the scale used.

 Indicate distances from set objects (doorway, window, anything that cannot be removed) to

movable objects within your room (bed, dresser, pile of clothes, etc.)

 Indicate general direction of North (compass roses are optional)

 Try to draw objects within the room so they are recognizable.

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 Experiment: Crime Scene Investigation –
“Claymation”
We will begin this project with a practice crime scene reconstruction so that you can become
familiar with the process. Reconstructing a crime requires taking the evidence at hand and putting it
all into context to create a credible, logical sequence of events that led to the observed crime scene.
When you have completed this sample miniature reconstruction, you will have designed one
of the following types of crime scenes using modeling clay (and/or other materials such as doll
furniture, dolls, toy cars, etc.) and listing pertinent information on a separate piece of paper. The
five types you may choose from are:

1. Murder
2. Sexual Assault: rape
3. Suicide
4. Vehicular Assault
5. Kidnapping

You will create an entirely

new miniature crime scene from your
imagination. Also, your crime scene
is not completed until you have
created documents showing
information concerning suspects,
victims, mock police and lab reports,
and other crime scene information
that are pertinent for analysis. These
documents are to be submitted to a
“team” of people (any group that you
can assemble such as family and/or
friends) to try to solve your crime. A
general analysis of your crime scene
Example “Claymation” crime scene (courtesy Det. John Linnertz)
must be part of your write-up for this
lab that you turn in for grading.
You will also need to get together a small group of people have them try to solve your crime.

The following items must be prepared to complete this lab.

Crime Assembly (you use or create):
 1 miniature crime scene reconstructed using various inexpensive modeling
materials (such as clay, doll furniture, model cars, etc.) to create you crime scene in
miniature (just look around for inexpensive items – it doesn’t need to be highly
artistic just understandable – have fun with this).
 1 set of information sheets containing your “forensic data” (e.g., mock lab reports,
police reports, etc.).
 1 brief analysis of what you were trying to portray.
 Take pictures of your miniature crime scene to include in your lab write-up.

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 Your Assembled Analysis Team should complete the following:
 1 crime scene sketch;
 1 list of evidence/analyses they used and/or needed;
 1 analysis of the crime scene that you prepared – in other words, their “solution”
to the crime and how they came to this conclusion.

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 Experiment: Crime Scene Investigation –
“Claymation”

Post­lab Assignment

Name               
               
               
               
               

With this experiment, your report (below) that you will submit, needs to contain the following 
items:

 Photographs of your miniature crime scene;
 Pdf samples of your information sheets containing your “forensic data”;
 The completed answers to the questions below.

Case Description (describe the scene and any background information needed):

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Site Interpretation (crime reconstruction – how well your “analysis team” did):

Critique of your Mock Crime Scene in Miniature (What did you learn): 

Crime Scene Investigation 10